Toilet cleaning tool and holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for a toilet cleaning tool and an improved toilet cleaning tool has a removable drip liner within a housing. The cover of the housing pivots at the base to an opened position to provide access to allow the head of the cleaning tool to be received in the liner. The toilet cleaning tool comprises a curved handle, and a removable cleaning head. The cleaning head may be one of a brush or a sponge. A set of brushes and sponges of different shapes, sizes and configurations may be provided for interchangeably attached to the handle, depending on the intended cleaning applications. Different brushes and sponges may be impregnated with a different cleaning agent, depending on the intended cleaning applications. The handle of the toilet cleaning tool may be provided with a non-slip finish.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/266,380, filed on Sep. 19, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/872,284, filed on Dec. 1, 2006. These applications are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning tool and a holder therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tools for cleaning bathrooms may include brushes and sponges. Brushes are often stored in a water-catching basin, which may be in the form of a box or holder. Exemplary toilet brushes and holders include those disclosed in US2004/0149608A1; U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,299, U.S. Pat. No. D315,269; and U.S. Pat. No. D298,712. Further toilet brush configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D524,550; U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,913; U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,427; U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,152; JP Patent Publication No. 09192050A (1996).

For convenience of use, the brush and holder combination is typically designed to be placed to the side of the toilet bowl. Such combination remains in place close to the toilet bowl for easy access to clean the toilet bowl from time to time, except when the holder needs to be cleaned out. Heretofore, some holders include a drip pan or trough that is externally attached as a base to the housing of the holder, or internally fixedly attached to the housing of the holder. Cleaning the holder would therefore require moving the entire holder, to a running tap for example. Such creates inconvenience to the user. Further, the prior art toilet brush configurations can be improved to provide ease of use.

It is therefore desirable to have a toilet cleaning tool that is convenient to use and a complementary holder that is convenient to clean out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a holder for a toilet cleaning tool. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved toilet cleaning tool.

The inventive holder has a removable drip liner within the housing of the holder, which catches drip from the toilet cleaning tool. The liner can be removed for cleaning, without having to clean the entire housing. In one embodiment, the liner is in a bucket shape, which is sized to receive the head of a toilet cleaning tool (e.g., the head of a toilet brush). In one embodiment, the housing has a cover that pivots at the base, to an opened position to provide access to allow the head of the cleaning tool to be received in the liner. The cover is pivoted to a closed position to securely contain the head of the cleaning tool within the housing. The handle of the cleaning tool extends through an opening in the cover in its closed position.

The inventive toilet cleaning tool comprises a curved (e.g., S-shaped) handle, and a removable cleaning head. The cleaning head may be one of a brush or a sponge. A set of brushes and sponges of different shapes, sizes and configurations may be provided for interchangeably attached to the handle, depending on the intended cleaning applications. Different brushes and sponges may be impregnated with a different cleaning agent, depending on the intended cleaning applications. In one embodiment, the brush head has a flat form factor, with bristles extending from the circumference or periphery sides of a flat generally oval stem, forming a narrow row of bristles. The bristles at the two end sections of the narrow row of bristles may be stiffer than the bristles at the mid section. The handle of the toilet cleaning tool may be provided with a non-slip finish (e.g., providing a layer of non-slip material) to improve grip of the tool when the handle is wet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings (stippling is used to differentiate between areas of different materials, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet cleaning tool and holder in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the holder;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the holder;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the holder;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the holder;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the holder taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the holder showing the cover in the opened position;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the liner of the holder; FIG. 8B is a side view of the liner; FIG. 8C is a rear view of the liner.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a toilet brush in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the toilet brush;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the toilet brush;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the toilet brush; and

FIG. 13 is a section view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is described below in reference to various embodiments with reference to the figures. While this invention is described in terms of the best mode for achieving this invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a holder for a toilet cleaning tool. The holder is particularly suited for, without limitations, storing toilet brushes or sponges. For purposes of illustrating the principles of the present invention and not by limitation, the present invention is described by reference to a toilet brush. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved toilet cleaning tool.

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate the inventive holder 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The holder 10 comprises an upright free-standing housing 12, which includes a base 14, a body 16, and a cover 18. The cover 18 is a one-piece curved (convex) panel defining a top and a front of the housing 16. The body 16 has a smooth unitary panel that wraps around from one side of the housing 12 to another side, thereby defining rear and sides of the housing 12. The front 20 of the cover 18 is hinged to the sides near the base. The top 19 of the cover 18 is provided with a cutout, forming an opening 22 at the top, through which the handle 52 of the brush 50 can extend from the inside of the housing 18. A ventilation opening 24 is provided near the top rear of the body 16, which may also define a convenient handle at the top rear of the body 16.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, in accordance with the present invention, the holder 10 has a removable drip liner 26 that fits within the housing 18, which catches drip from the toilet cleaning tool. The liner 26 can be removed from the housing 18 for cleaning, without having to clean the entire housing 12. The liner 26 may also be made disposable and replaceable with another liner. In one embodiment shown more clearly in FIG. 8, the liner 26 is shaped as a bucket or tub, which is internally sized and shaped to receive the head 54 of the toilet brush 50, and externally sized and shaped to fit into the housing 12. The liner 26 has a trough bottom 28 that holds drips, with vertical sides 30 extending therefrom. An outward facing protruding convex dimple 32 is provided at the edge of the outside surface of each side 30. At the rear of the liner 26, a tab 21 extends to form a hook.

The cover 18 pivots by a hinge 17 (e.g., a horizontal bar) at the base, to an opened position shown in FIG. 7 to provide access to allow the head 54 of the brush 50 to be received in the liner 26. The liner 26 is removably attached to the cover. Specifically, the dimples 32 on the sides 30 removably engage complementary holes 34 provided on flanges 38 of the front 20 of the front cover 18. The tab 21 hooks to the hinge bar, with the curved space of the hook resting on the hinge bar. As the cover 18 opens, the liner 26 is pulled forward (e.g., to tilt forward), to accommodate the insertion of the head 54 of the brush 50. The liner 26 pivots by the hook with respect to the hinge bar, as the liner 26 is pulled forward along with the front 20 of the cover 18. In the opened position, the cover 18 also allows the liner 26 to be removed and replaced with respect to the housing 12, by dislodging the dimples 32 from the holes 34. It is appreciated that the liner 26 can be routinely and frequently detached and removed for cleaning without having to break any attachment between the liner 26 and the housing 12. When the cover 18 is pivoted to a closed position shown in FIG. 6, the head 54 of the brush 50 is securely contained within the housing 12. In the closed position, the handle 52 of the brush 50 extends through the opening 22 at the top 19 of the cover 18.

FIG. 9 to 12 illustrate one embodiment of the inventive toilet cleaning tool in the form of the brush 50. The brush 50 comprises a curved (e.g., a slight S-shaped) handle 52, and a removable brush head 54 attached to the handle 52 at end 62. The curved handle 52 allows for easier reaching of the brush head 54 against the underside of the toilet bowl rim and the draining passage of the toilet bowl. Referring to FIG. 13, the head 54 has a clip 64 that is inserted into a complementary opening at the end 62 of the handle 52, which latches through a hole 66 on the handle 52. The head 54 may be removed by pressing the clip 64 to delatch it from the hole. Alternatively, the handle 52 may have a clip and the head 54 may have a complementary opening.

In one embodiment, the brush head 54 has a flat form factor, with bristles 56 extending from the circumference or periphery sides of a flat generally oval or circular stem 58, forming a narrow row or band of bristles 56 along the circumferential periphery of the stem 58. The bristles at the two end sections 60 of the narrow band of bristles 56 may be made of a material stiffer than the material of the bristles 56 at the mid section 60. This provides harder brushing of hard to reach areas of the toilet bowl using the end sections 60. The handle 52 of the brush 50 may be provided with a non-slip finish (e.g., providing a layer of non-slip material) at portion 68 of the handle 52, to improve user grip of the handle 52 when the handle 52 is wet.

Instead of a brush head, a sponge head may be removably attached to the handle 52. Further, a set of brushes and sponges of different shapes, sizes and configurations may be provided for interchangeably attached to the handle, depending on the intended cleaning applications. Different brushes and sponges may be impregnated with a different cleaning agent (e.g., bleaching agent, which may be in liquid, solid or a mix of liquid and solid), depending on the intended cleaning applications.

In one embodiment, the front 20 of the cover 18 is made of a thin rigid plastic material, which may be textured, coated and/or painted to provide a desirable, aesthetic finish. Regardless of surface finish, the cover 18 is generally smooth, i.e., without structural seams; joints or sharp bents across its surface. In one embodiment, the body 16 comprised a top section made of plastic (the section in which the opening 24 is provided, and a lower section made of a general smooth (without structural seams, joints or sharp bents across its surface), thin sheet of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, which may be textured, coated and/or painted to provide a durable, aesthetic finish. The base 14 may be made of a rigid plastic material, wood or metal. It may include sufficient material (e.g., a thick wooden structure) or a heavy material (e.g., metal weights), to provide a weighted base. The liner 26 may be made of metal (e.g., iron, aluminum, etc.) or rigid or flexible plastic (e.g., PVC), which may be disposable and replaceable.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the instrument incorporating the essence of this invention can also be used for storage of other types of collapsible items made from plastic or other soft and/or flexible materials. Accordingly, the disclosed invention is to be considered merely as illustrative and limited in scope only as specified in the appended claims. 

1. A holder for a toilet cleaning tool, comprising: a housing; and a removable liner held in the housing, said liner sized to receive a cleaning head of a toilet cleaning tool.
 2. A holder as in claim 1, wherein the liner is removably attached to the housing.
 3. A holder as in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a body and a cover pivoted from the body, from an open position in which the cleaning head may be inserted into the liner, to a closed position in which the cleaning head may be removed from the liner.
 4. A holder as in claim 3, wherein the liner is removably attached to the cover.
 5. A holder as in claim 4, wherein the liner comprises a protruding dimple, and the cover has a complementary hole, and wherein the dimple removably engage to the hole.
 6. A holder as in claim 4, wherein as the cover is pivoted from the closed position to the opened position, the liner is pulled along with the cover.
 7. A holder as in claim 3, wherein the cover comprises an opening through which the toilet cleaning tool may extend when the cleaning head is received in the liner and the cover is closed.
 8. A holder as in claim 3, wherein the cover is hinged near a base of the body of the housing.
 9. A holder as in claim 1, wherein the body of the housing comprises a unitary panel that wraps around from one side of the housing to another side, thereby defining rear and sides of the housing.
 10. A holder as in claim 1, wherein the toilet cleaning tool is a toilet brush having a toilet brush head.
 11. A holder and toilet cleaning tool combination, comprising: a holder as in claim 1; and a toilet cleaning tool having a cleaning head sized and configured to be received in the liner.
 12. A holder and toilet cleaning tool combination as in claim 11, wherein the cleaning head is removably attached to the handle.
 13. A toilet brush, comprising: a handle; and a brush head having a flat stem and bristles extending from the periphery of the stem, wherein the brush head is removably attached to the handle.
 14. A toilet brush as in claim 13, wherein the handle is curved.
 15. A toilet brush as in claim 13, wherein the bristles are arranged in a band along the circumferential periphery of the stem.
 16. A toilet brush as in claim 15, wherein the band of bristles comprises end sections that are stiffer than a center section.
 17. A toilet brush as in claim 13, wherein the handle comprises a non-slip finish.
 18. A toilet brush as in claim 13, wherein the brush head has a clip and the handle has a complementary opening, or vice versa, wherein the clip is removably inserted into the opening to removably attach the brush bead to the handle.
 19. A toilet brush as in claim 13, wherein the brush head comprises an impregnated cleaning agent.
 20. A system of toilet cleaning tool, comprising: a handle, configured to removably support a replaceable brush head; and a plurality of replaceable brush heads, each designed for a particular cleaning application, wherein each brush head is configured to be removably attached to the handle for replacement. 